Nigel Evans demands CPS compensation and to name his accusers after 'witch hunt'

Following his not guilty verdict on rape and sexual assault charges, Nigel
Evans asks that his accusers be publically named and opens up about the
trial that left him destitute and contemplating suicide

Nigel Evans, the former Commons deputy speaker, has suggested that those who accused him of rape and sexual assault should have their identities revealed after he was cleared of all charges against him.

Mr Evans said that he had been the subject of a witch hunt which had wiped out his life savings and even led him to consider suicide in his "darkest moments".

He was later charged with the attack as well as eight other sexual offences against young male colleagues between 2002 and 2013.

This week he was cleared of rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted sexual assault and two indecent assaults at Preston Crown Court.

He told the Mail On Sunday: "I feel cheated by the fact that if my seven accusers and I walked down the street none of them would be recognised but I would be because I was the only one who was named.

"And I have been cleared while their allegations have been shown to be false."

Mr Evans also launched an attack on the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, who has defended CPS decisions to prosecute a number of famous names over accusations of historic sex crimes.

The CPS, Evans said, should be forced to pay back his legal fees after he was cleared of all charges.

Mr Evans now intends to campaign for a time limit on historic allegations. He faced charges going back a decade and some, such as those which were made against his friend Bill Roache, the Coronation Street actor who was also cleared at Preston Crown Court, went back even further.

"It's all very well for him to focus on victims. But they have created a new set of victims, which Keir Starmer has not addressed.

"The victims are those accused of sex assaults like rape when they haven't done it. This imbalance needs to be addressed urgently.

He added: "We need to consider the issue of a statute of limitations and look at how other countries deal with this.

Prosecutors, he said, should be stopped from trying to "bundle" together a series of weak cases to make one strong case.

"The police look for similarities, it is all they care about," Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans believes that his treatment, by his accusers, police prosecutors and even other MPs amounts to a "witch hunt".

Speaking at a friend's home in his Ribble Valley constituency he said: "I live there in the foothills of Pendle Hill which was known for one thing: witch hunts.

"The witches of Pendle were captured there, transported to Lancaster and executed in public. That is how I feel."

Mr Evans also revealed that it was his friendships with Coronation Street stars including Bill Roache that had "supported" him throughout the trial, saying he planned to invite Roache to Westminster to celebrate their not guilty verdicts.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "Without my friends being there for me and giving me hope I would have been a broken man.

"There were very, very dark moments. At times things were bleak and I did think about taking my own life. But then you get the strength from people believing in you and giving you the support you need.

"Bill Roache is a long-term friend of mine. He helped me in my first by-election 23 years ago and over the past few months we've been there for each other. Before his verdict I texted him to say I looked forward to raising a glass on the terrace of the House of Commons with him when he was found not guilty.

"He returned the message by saying he looked forward to raising a glass to me in the Rovers Return. That kind of absolute belief was what kept me going, not just from famous friends like Bill but from constituents and my family.

"I'm looking forward to having Bill to Westminster when I get back and, of course, to that drink in The Rovers."